Director Darren Aronofsky isn’t a big fan of Method acting, and during a recent masterclass in Paris, the Black Swan director didn’t hold back when the topic of Method acting came up.
He bluntly said: “I hate Method actors,” calling the never-break-character performance style “just something to hide behind, as opposed to doing the work and being professional.”
He’s not saying actors shouldn’t dig deep, just that there’s a line. “Do a tremendous amount of research and really work hard, but acting’s make believe. If you’re going to do an intense scene, [there’s nothing wrong with] keeping yourself isolated, focused and ready in between takes to maintain that emotion.
“It’s a sport, a game — only, to be a great basketball player, you don’t have to be dribbling all the time. That’s not how it works. You do your homework, and get yourself ready. It’s only a fake reality between action and cut.”
He didn’t name names, though it’s worth noting his lead in the upcoming Caught Stealing, Austin Butler, is known for staying in character long after “cut” is called. Still, Aronofsky’s not out to shame anyone… unless it affects the team.
“It’s fine if that’s how [these actors] want to spend their time,” he said. “But I just encourage them to relax a bit! It’s fine, as long as it’s not debilitating for the rest of the crew.”
Aronofsky was in Paris for a retrospective hosted by the French Cinematheque, where he also opened up about Caught Stealing. Like many of his past films, the story is structured around a strong central performance.
Aronofsky called his lead star Butler, the “anchor,” adding, “we sort of built a world around him.” He went on to describe the project as a stylish genre piece that plays to its strengths.
“It’s just a crime caper that we tried to make really well – and that was a really fun activity. There’s nothing wrong with taking a classic genre and just trying to make it better, and to do things with real craft.”
As for tone, he noted his films often reflect the world they’re released into, and said: “Now, Trump is the most famous person in the world, so I need to work even harder to be an optimist. With all the challenges we’re facing, I try to think about all the things that can connect us —and what I’m trying to do with my work now.”
What are your thoughts on Method acting?
Source: Variety
